Karan Valenti

The meeting covered the approval of minutes from a prior meeting on January 10th. Key discussions included granting a letter of support and a form for Fred McDonald related to the fiscal year 2020 Community Corrections grants application. The Commission approved a community criminal justice board membership agreement. The Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Department received approval for a two-part financing agreement, including financing equipment (SCBA bottles and turnout gear) and a lease purchase agreement. The transfer of an animal shelter employee to a part-time 4-H and youth program assistance role was approved, effective February 11th, 2019. The resignation of a member from the Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board was accepted. Commissioners reported on a recent workshop regarding the road bond issue, noting that approximately $8 million of the $19 million allocated for Hancock County had purportedly been spent, with $11 million remaining unassigned, and updates were expected in March. The General County budget revision number three for fiscal year 18 was approved. Several board openings were addressed, including appointing an individual to the Resource Conservation and Development Board and readvertising openings for the Northern Panhandle Home Consortium Council, the Technical Advisory Committee representative to the Brooke Hancock Jefferson Planning Commission, the community at-large representative to the Brooke Hancock Jefferson Planning Commission, and an opening on the Northern Panhandle community criminal justice board. The Commission approved entering into a contractual agreement for the West Virginia Justice Assistance Grant Program for Prevention Resource Officers and another for the Drug Task Force, noting significant reductions in funding for both grants. The December 2018 animal shelter report and expenses were approved. Approval was granted to apply for the 2019 West Virginia Spay/Neuter Grant Program, with an anticipated outcome of assisting approximately 300 cats and 20 dogs. Two individuals were approved to be hired as part-time dispatchers effective February 1, 2019. A motion to table the purchase for new Sheriff's Department cruisers, pending a presentation from the Sheriff, was approved. General County bills, including specific travel expenses, were approved for payment, along with payments for animal shelter levy funds, library levy funds, and sheltered workshop levy fund requisitions.

The meeting included the approval of the July 20, 2017 meeting minutes. The executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau provided an annual report, noting projected revenue decreases and changes in state grant structures. Discussions covered approving a lease agreement extension with the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority until June 30, 2014, to facilitate grant applications for the recycling center, and hiring/advertising for animal shelter positions. The commission approved monthly reports for the Dog Warden and the 2018-2019 grant agreement with First Energy Nuclear Operating Company for the Beaver Valley Power Station. Finance actions included reviewing probates, states, acceleration orders, and approving general county bills totaling approximately $66,634.82, along with various levy fund bills. Citizen remarks involved a detailed critique regarding the cost and performance metrics of the county-operated animal shelter compared to previous non-profit management, including high animal death rates and increased operational costs. A subsequent discussion addressed the Attorney General's opinion regarding levy funds and allegations made in a public editorial concerning fund usage and communications.

The meeting proceedings included the recognition and presentation by Fiscardo Concrete regarding their business growth, including significant project milestones and plans for industry presentation, as well as the presentation of the 2020 K-9 report from the Hancock County Sheriff's Department detailing vehicle searches, track runs, apprehensions, and drug seizures. Correspondence involved a motion to support the Northern Panhandle Community Criminal Justice Board's 2022 grant application for the Lee Day Report Center. Additionally, a letter from Weirton Medical Center recognizing the Hancock County Health Department's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding vaccine rollout, was entered into the record. An announcement was made regarding the History Channel's show 'American Pickers' visiting West Virginia in April to scout private collections. The funding request from Blue Stream Farms for $25,000 was tabled pending further review and meeting with representatives.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of amendments and minutes from previous commission meetings. A presentation was given by a representative from the Hancock County Libraries regarding the renewal request for the Hancock County Library Levy to be placed on the November 8th ballot, emphasizing that it is a renewal, not an increase, and highlighting increased usage of electronic materials and the introduction of Universal Classes. The commission approved placing the levy renewal on the ballot, pending review by the prosecutor's and assessor's offices. Other actions involved recording a funding request from the Route 2 I-68 Authority, appointing Mr. John Sorenti to the Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board's executive committee, and approving a five percent funding match for the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department's federal grant for new air packs. Approvals were also granted for a resolution to apply for a 2022 HAVA Cares Act Sub-grant, reappointing Rainey Emerick to the Parks and Recreation Board, accepting the resignation of Tiffany Gale from the same board, approving a small fiscal year carryover revision, accepting the resignation of Jennifer Walker, hiring a part-time Animal Care Technician, approving the April, May, and June 2022 in and out reports, approving the Sheriff's Commission for tax year 2021, accepting Sam Conrad and Aaron Conrad into the Sheriff's Reserves, approving promotions within the Sheriff's department, and tabling the agreement for Preventative Resource Officers with the Board of Education pending further information. Finally, the commission approved an order detailing precinct and polling place changes for upcoming elections and approved general county bills, P-card payments, and Animal Shelter Levy Fund bills.

The meeting agenda was reorganized to address special guests, specifically representatives from the Hancock County Shelter Foundation, who discussed their upcoming levy renewal in May, renovation plans for the cat facilities, and ongoing public outreach efforts including low-cost spay/neuter clinics and adoption events. Key business items included the approval of the minutes from the April 7, 2016 meeting. New business involved approving an allocation for a grant application on behalf of the Juvenile Mediation Program and accepting the resignation of Edward Flowers from the Oakland PSD, followed by authorizing advertisements for open positions within the Oakland PSD and the Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board. Discussions also centered on personnel changes within the Office of Technology, including the promotion of Steven Dixon to full-time dispatcher and the need to advertise for new part-time dispatchers due to turnover. Various financial matters were addressed, including the approval of General County bills, Animal Shelter Levy fund bills, Fire allocation bills, and Library Levy funds. Several commissioners commented favorably on the new 911 Center facility and its technology upgrades.